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NTSB Report
October 10, 1989 · Agusta A109A MKII · N21FL
Lacey Township, NJ
Overview
Report Status
Probable Cause
Event Type
Accident
Date
October 10, 1989
Injury Outcomes
5 injuries (5 fatalities)
Location
Lacey Township, NJ
Aircraft
Agusta A109A MKII
Tail Number
N21FL
Operator
Paramount Aviation
Injuries
Fatal
Aircraft Damage
Destroyed
NTSB Number
NYC90MA009
AS THE HELICOPTER WAS IN CRUISE FLT AT AN ALT OF 2200' MSL, A PORTION OF ONE OF THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES SEPARATED. THE SUBSEQUENT IMBALANCE RESULTED IN SEPARATION OF THE TRANSMISSION & MAIN ROTOR ASSEMBLY FROM THE HELICOPTER. THE HELICOPTER THEN CRASHED IN AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT. A METALLURGICAL EXAM OF THE SEPARATED BLADE REVEALED THAT IT HAD FAILED FROM FATIGUE. THE FRACTURE HAD INITIATED AT A MANUFACTURING INDUCED SCRATCH IN THE SPAR OF THE BLADE. THE SCRATCH WAS ON THE INNER SURFACE OF THE SPAR AT BLADE STATION 2825 (IN MILLIMETERS), NEAR THE LEAD BALANCE WT. IT WAS IN LINE WITH THE EDGE OF THE ADHESIVE FILET. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THE CRACK ORIGINATED WHERE A SHARP TOOL WAS USED TO TRIM THE EDGE OF THE ADHESIVE FILET. THE BLADE FRACTURED AFTER 922 HRS OF OPERATION.
NTSB Probable Cause
IN-FLIGHT SEPARATION OF A MAIN ROTOR BLADE DUE TO FATIGUE FAILURE OF THE MAIN ROTOR BLADE SPAR, WHICH ORIGINATED AT A MANUFACTURING INDUCED SCRATCH (TOOL MARK) THAT WAS THE RESULT OF INADEQUATE QUALITY CONTROL.
Full Narrative
AS THE HELICOPTER WAS IN CRUISE FLT AT AN ALT OF 2200' MSL, A PORTION OF ONE OF THE MAIN ROTOR BLADES SEPARATED. THE SUBSEQUENT IMBALANCE RESULTED IN SEPARATION OF THE TRANSMISSION & MAIN ROTOR ASSEMBLY FROM THE HELICOPTER. THE HELICOPTER THEN CRASHED IN AN UNCONTROLLED DESCENT. A METALLURGICAL EXAM OF THE SEPARATED BLADE REVEALED THAT IT HAD FAILED FROM FATIGUE. THE FRACTURE HAD INITIATED AT A MANUFACTURING INDUCED SCRATCH IN THE SPAR OF THE BLADE. THE SCRATCH WAS ON THE INNER SURFACE OF THE SPAR AT BLADE STATION 2825 (IN MILLIMETERS), NEAR THE LEAD BALANCE WT. IT WAS IN LINE WITH THE EDGE OF THE ADHESIVE FILET. THERE WAS EVIDENCE THAT THE CRACK ORIGINATED WHERE A SHARP TOOL WAS USED TO TRIM THE EDGE OF THE ADHESIVE FILET. THE BLADE FRACTURED AFTER 922 HRS OF OPERATION.
Flight
Event TypeAccident
Event Time13:29 EDT
Nearest Airport0nm N
Runway0
Flight Plan FiledCvfr
Aircraft FireNo
Aircraft ExplosionNo
Aircraft
AircraftAgusta A109A MKII
Tail NumberN21FL
Aircraft CategoryHeli
DamageDestroyed
OperatorParamount Aviation
Operating RulePart 135
Engines2
Engine TypeTurboshaft
Engine DetailsAllison · 250-C20B · Turboshaft · 420
Seats7
People & Injuries
Injury Summary5 injuries (5 fatalities)
Fatal5
Serious0
Minor0
Uninjured0
Total5
Crew 1Age 27 · Second Class
Conditions
ConditionsVMC
LightDaylight
Wind190° @ 8 kt
Visibility7 sm
CeilingBroken clouds 4000 ft
Temperature / Dew Point61 F / 37 C
Altimeter30.00 inHg
Observation Time17:55
Weather SourceWFAC